TAS Verdict: CAN 2025 Maroc Sénégal Decision Expected by November

• Senegal won the CAN 2025 final on the field, but Morocco was officially declared champion by a CAF decision.
• The CAF appeal jury awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by forfeit on March 17, following incidents during the January 18, 2026 match.
• The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football filed an appeal against this ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on March 25.
• An arbitral panel, chaired by Professor Gérald Simon, held a hearing in Lausanne on October 8 to deliberate the case.
• The final TAS verdict regarding the CAN 2025 dispute between Morocco and Senegal is expected by the end of November 2026.

The forthcoming decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport will establish a significant precedent regarding the finality of continental federation rulings and the scope of international arbitration in major African sporting disputes.

The final match of the CAN 2025 tournament saw Senegal emerge victorious on the field, securing a 1-0 win. However, the official championship title was subsequently awarded to Morocco following a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), sparking a significant `CAF CAN 2025 dispute`.

The controversy originated from incidents that occurred at the conclusion of the match on January 18, 2026. During the game, Senegalese players briefly exited the pitch after a penalty was awarded to Morocco. Despite this interruption, play resumed, and Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time, giving the Senegalese Lions their on-field victory. Nevertheless, the CAF appeal jury intervened on March 17, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match and consequently awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory, thereby making them the official champions.

In response to the CAF's ruling, the `Fédération Sénégalaise de Football appeal` was formally lodged with the `Court of Arbitration for Sport decision` (TAS) on March 25. This move initiated an international arbitration process to challenge the awarding of the title to Morocco by forfeit.

The arbitral panel tasked with adjudicating this `TAS verdict CAN 2025 Maroc Sénégal` convened for a hearing in Lausanne on October 8. The panel is notably presided over by French professor `Gérald Simon TAS`. Following the hearing, the arbitrators commenced their deliberations, indicating that a comprehensive decision, complete with its legal grounds, will require several weeks of work. The final `TAS verdict CAN 2025 Maroc Sénégal` is now anticipated by the end of November 2026.

This `Maroc Sénégal football arbitration` case holds substantial weight for the future of `sports law Africa arbitration`. The forthcoming decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport will establish a significant precedent regarding the finality of continental federation rulings and the scope of international arbitration in major African sporting disputes.

Legal professionals specializing in sports law and international arbitration are closely monitoring this case. The TAS ruling will not only determine the outcome of the CAN 2025 championship but also provide crucial guidance on the extent to which international bodies can overturn or modify decisions made by continental sports federations, potentially reshaping the landscape of dispute resolution in African football and beyond.

Lawyers specializing in sports law or international arbitration should closely monitor the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport's upcoming decision, as it will establish a significant precedent regarding the finality of continental federation rulings and the scope of international arbitration in major African sporting disputes.

Source: Original reporting based on press accounts.